Indirect exposure to client trauma and the impact on trainee clinical psychologists: Secondary traumatic stress or vicarious traumatization?

ConclusionsThis study provides support for secondary traumatic stress but lacks evidence to support belief changes in vicarious traumatization or a relationship between exposure to trauma work and general psychological distress. The measurement and validity of vicarious traumatization is discussed along with clinical, theoretical implications, and suggestions for future research. Practitioner Points Secondary traumatic stress is a potential risk for trainee clinical psychologists. Training courses should (a) focus on quality of trauma training as it may be protective; (b) advocate coping strategies to reduce stress of clinical work, as the level of stress of clinical work may contribute to trauma symptoms. Limitations include Exposure to trauma work only uniquely explained a small proportion of variance in trauma symptoms. The study was cross‐sectional in nature therefore cannot imply causality.
Source: Clinical Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: RESEARCH ARTICLE Source Type: research